Batch loader for dry-mix concrete



July 31, 1956 R- W S|MS BATCH LOADER FOR DRY-MIX CONCRETE Filed Feb. 1 0, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l 35 M35 F/G 4.

F/G. I 3a 25 25 3a /2 I 3l I l2 62 25a 50 'I 54 'm o L .P1 44 /0 329. 5 L Iz\2 /00l 53 Y "52 /00/ 52 :inventor j ROYAL w SIMS I .f 1 /0 E ,5% 32'/ 32 J /4 42 (/4 Gttomegs R. W. SIMS July 31, 1956 BATCH LOADER FOR DRY-MIX CONCRETE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l0, 1955 l 26 mventor ROYAL W. SIMS attorney July 31, 1956 R. w. slMs BATCH LOADERFOR DRY-MIX CONCRETE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. l0, 1955 ROYAL W. SIMS n @mw Q B l Q u Nm. e Q O- N* vv Il.) mwN )vn n NM, \\,vm d QV Mm. www mm. mm. #WQ QQ mm. mm V L Q S L SQA N. V\ lnk Q` July 31, 1956 R. w. slMs BATCH LOADER FOR DRY-MIX CONCRETE Filed Feb. lo, '1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ill/(Ill,

lnventor OYAL W.. SIMS United States Patent tO 2,756,881 BATCH LOADER FOR DRY-"MIX 'CONCRETE Royal W. Sims, Salt Lake City, 'Utah Application February .10, .1955,.Serial No.` 487,273 12Claims. .(Cl. .214-2) This invention relates generally to.elevating.and loading machinery, and iis .concerned particularly vwith ;providing a practical .machine dor loading batches tof ;dr.y vmix concrete iinto ttransit mixers.

The supplying of ready-mixed concrete Vdirectly .to the `job .has becorne .an important :specialty business in .the yconstruction industry. Transit mixer 'trucks .are Autilized for :the purpose, .and itis necessary :that tthese be charged with a dry mix -of athe .several ingredients ;in Aaproper .proportions .prior tto setting @if on the journey l.to fthe :point of delivery.

The machine of 'this invention 'is fadapted primarily afor .enabling a vprennixed, dry 'batch yof Athe material :going into the concrete to befconveniently and .expeditiously .handled during .the :introduction :of fsame :into a ltransit mixer, `it being realized that :the .feed oriiice of the latter `is :ordi- .narily located lhigh :above ground level.

lt is one of the objects of thefinvention .topi-'Ovide Afor 'accurately `weighing successive batches of the dry mix* Iprior tointroductionfthereof into thetransit mixer, thereby insuring a proper wet mix.

Ano-ther object .is -to provide for -the -use fof a broadly open transfer container for `the batch Aof dry-mix lconcrete to be loaded, and for the 'maintaining of suchfconrainer in substantially horizontal 4position-duringfmu'ch of the .elevating thereof, so that the dry-.mix `may be -con- '-veniently deposited ztherein from Ia `variety of types -.of equipment, including customary dump truc-ks. i

Outstanding structural features -of the batch .loader .of the invention reside .-in the system of leversemployedfor elevating `the transfer container #from .an .'initial, 'hori- 'zontally disposed, weighing position, up to .a .moderately tilted, dump position, and, vnally,-to.a steeplytilted,.dump position, and in the winch-operated rigging .system ernployed in .conjunction with andas actuating-means for the lever system. y

An .additional object :of `the invention `is .to so .construct .the loader that .it `can be easily transported yfrom ,place toplaoeffor the performance Aof .its loading function. This is .accomplished 'by l.providing retractable wheels on vthe structural supporting :base of the machine.

.Further `objects and features of the `invention will become apparent from .the following detailed description .of that preferred .speciiic construction which .is.i1lustrated, by `way Iof example, .in .the laccompanying drawings.

iin .the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a side .elevation of vthe batch iloader in non-operating, transport condition, the .transfer `con- .tainer being in a position which .corresponds -with vits initial, v

.load-.weighing position (.not otherwise shown) when the transport chassis is in the wheel-retracted, viixeil operating condition-of Fig. 5;

Fig. 2, atop plan, the rigging not being shown in detail;

Fig. 3, a front elevation;

Fig. 4, a transverse section taken on the line 4-4 .of Fig. Tl;

Fig. 5, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 1,'.bu't showing the loader in non-transport, operating condition, with its transfer .container `loaded and .partially elevated;

Fig. 6, a view corresponding .to that of Fig. 5, but illustrating the transfer .container in .a moderately tilted, .dump position, at an advanced stage .ofvelevat'iom during which .the principal dumping of contents into a 'transit mixer is accomplished;

ice

Fig. 7., ;a similarview, `but illustrating the transfercon- .tainerfsteepl-y .tilted l'to an .extreme dumpingposition, which terminates .the elevating `'phase of the operation;

tFig. 8,'.a1top:plan '.correspendingftoFig. 2, :but greatly enlarged 'and Ywith itransfer .container removed to .reveal 'operating `'parts xincluding ithe rigging -in detail;

Fig. J9., .a :fragmentary .view :in 'vertical 'section taken on the line :9 9 and :illustrating parts of .astandard :platform scale mechanism iin .operating condition, vthe .non-operating, transport condition being illustrated in dotted lines vand ftherentire view-being drawn to'atscaleenlarged over that of Eig.18;

Fig. 1.0, .a similar view taken \on the line .1'010 of Fig. 8 and .drawn :to :asomewhat larger scale, illustrating details of the pivotal connection between :certain :of lthe lifting levers ior frame .and the transfer container;

.-Fig. lil, ya ,front elevation .corresponding -to :that of Fig. v3., but .illustrating a somewhat .different construction employing a single ycable rigging arrangement, the view being .drawn .to an enlarged vscale and intermediate portions of the structural framework .being vbroken out -for lconvenience of illustration;

iFig. :12, .a fragmentary -verticalsection taken on the .line 12-12`of Fig. :1.1 and .drawn Yto Va larger scale;

`Eig. 13,-a horizontal section .taken -on the line v13a-13a of Fig. 11 and drawn to the larger scale lof Big. 12, intermediate portions being broken out yfor `convenience of illustration;

.F.ig. 14, afragmentary View rin vertical vsection .tahenon the line v141-114 -of Eig. ,1l fand illustrating in .detail `an 4.optionalautomatic l.gas feed .cut-.off `for the engine, fad- .vancedpositions .of the lifting levers orframeiand of the gas throttle lever 'being indicated by dotted Llines;

Fig. 15, a view corresponding largely to .thatof Fig. 14, -but illustrating an advantageous .arrangement for yraising the bedded machine and extending .the .retracted road wheels, -for transport, by the power of .the descending transfer container; and

Fig. 16, asimilar view showing themachine .raised and the retractable road wheels locked in extended, transport position.

Referring to the drawings:

The machine of the invention vembodies a rigid structural framework having a heavy base frame or chassis, 'which `is advantageously of rectangular formation, as here illustrated .and designated 10. The structural -framework also lincludes .upright structure rigidly secured to the lbase frame andrisingto approximately 'the height at which vdie elevated load is dumped, so as to provide 'for mount-ing of parts of .the winch-operated rigging system. In the form illustrated, suclruprightstructure isprovided by uprights or columns 11'rising'fromsecuremenn as .by welding, to one yend lo-f the base frame vI0 at respectively opposite `sides thereof. Diagonal braces 1`2fho1dsuch uprights 11`rmly'in position.

For the purpose of .making the machine .readily 'transportable from place to place, a .pair of road wheels .14 vare retractab'ly mounted intermediate the 'length of the base frame :110, as b y means of respective levers 15 pivoted at 16 to respective .opposite side .members .of'such base frame, and operable vby preferably hydraulic actuated mechanism of any suitable well 'known type (not shown). A 'tongue arrangement I8 at the other end of -t'he vbase frame provides a yhitch 19 lfor attachment to `any suitable tractor .unit rfor 'haulage purposes.

A container adapted to have material dumped -thererinto directly from conventional dump trucks for 'transfer to a transit mixer is .securely mounted on the .rearward portion of the base frame 1'0, for elevation to dumping -,position at 'the forward end of the latter and above the 'uprigh'ts '11, and, preferably, for weighing the received material prior to elevating .it to dumpingposition, To these e l ends, the transfer container simulates the body of a conventional dump truck as commonly used to haul sand and gravel, that is, it does insofar as its normal load-receiving position and general configuration are concerned.

In the illustrated form of the machine, a dump container 2t) of rectangular configuration and extending horizontally in the normal load-receiving position of Fig. 1, is broadly open over its top, see Fig. 2, to facilitate discharge thereinto of a charge of previously prepared dry-mix concrete components by the customary dumping operation of a conventional dump truck of the type previously mentioned, as ordinarily used for hauling such components from the dry-mixing plant.

In some instances, it may be desirable to charge the transfer container directly from discharge hoppers of a dry-mixing plant. The container 20 is applicable to such an operation, as well as it is to being charged from a haulage truck.

Such transfer container 20 is mounted rigidly on a supporting frame 21, which is itself mounted and rigged for elevation while remaining in approximately a horizontal plane. The container is thus carried upwardly in approximately horizontal position to approximately the height of the uprights 11.

For this purpose, one end of a lifting frame 22 is pivotally connected, as at 23, to the upright end of the structural framework, while the opposite end is pivotally connected, as at 24, to the adjacent end of the container-supporting frame 21.

A second and longer lifting frame 25 has one end pivotally connected, as at 26, to the upright end of the structural framework, preferably below and in backwardly spaced relation to the first lifting frame 22, and its opposite end pivotally connected to the remote end of the container-supporting frame 21 by a lost-motion connection to be described.

The two frames thus form a four-point suspension system at each lateral side of the apparatus, the two systems being arranged to work in parallel in elevating the container-supporting frame 21 and the transfer container 20 through successive horizontal planes.

In order to properly dump the container at the termination of its upward travel, it is necessary that its end 26a, remote from the upright structure 11, be raised relative to its discharge end 201;, so that the dump container will slope steeply in a downward direction above such upright structure. To this end, the horizontal distance 27, Fig. 5, extending between the pivot connections of the respective lifting frames 22 and 23 at the upright end of the structural framework, is considerably shorter than the corresponding distance 28 between the pivot connections at the opposite ends of the respective pairs of levers considered when the container is in any horizontal position, the relative distances being desirably selected to commence the tipping of the container just before it is raised above the level of the top of the upright structure, though the point at which tipping is commenced being largely a matter of choice.

For bringing the transfer container 20 into steeply sloping position, the pivotal connection of lifting frame 25 with container-supporting frame 2i is made by passing lifting frame end member 25a, Figs. 2 and 8, through elongate slots 29 provided in respectively opposite, longitudi-y nal, side members of the frame 21. Such lifting frame member 25a is normally disposed at the remote ends of these slots, leaving the lengths thereof ready to accommodate it as the container is brought into its steepest, discharge position. For this purpose, the member 25a should be of cylindrical formation, and is preferably a rotatable shaft.

The dumping or discharge end 2017 of the transfer container is preferably of convergent hopper formation, as shown, normally closed by a door 30 arranged to be swung open and closed by suitable remotely controlled means, such as the hydraulically controlled mechanism 31.

i 'annessi Lifting of the loaded transfer container 2t) from its lowermost or load-weighing position to its nal discharge position and lowering of the empty container following discharge of the load are preferably accomplished by means of a rigging system involving a plurality of pulley wheels, wrapping connectors therefor, and a power-operated winch arrangement.

In the construction of'Figs. 1-8, the rigging system is made up of two similar and structurally independent sections at respectively opposite lateral sides of the apparatus. Such sections correspond to the respective lever-suspension systems provided by the lifting frames 22. and 25.

Each rigging section comprises a winch drum 32, and a set of pulley wheels, as follows (see Fig. 8): a double pulley wheel 33 rotatably mounted on a shaft 34 which is xed to and extends between the tops of the respective uprights 11 in mounting brackets 35, a double pulley wheel 36 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 37 which projects laterally and outwardly from near the rear end of the forward lifting frame 22, a single pulley wheel 3S rotatably mounted on end frame member 25a, and a single pulley wheel 39 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft which proiects outwardly from lifting frame 22 adjacent to and forwardly of stub shaft 37. A steel cable 40 extends from attachment to the winch drum 32, over one of the cable ways of double pulley wheel 33, under one of the cable lways of double pulley wheel 36, around pulley wheel 33, back under the other cable way of double pulley wheel 36, around the other cable way of doubie pulley wheel 33, back around puiley wheel 39, and back to a fixed anchorage to the structural framework, preferably the upright structure 11.

The several pulleys may be regarded as longitudinal cable guides, for they serve to guide the cable in its extension longitudinally of the machine.

The two winch drums are preferably fixed to respectively opposite ends of a common drive shaft 42, which is driven by an engine i3 through any suitable drive, such as the worm gearing 44. Thus, such drums rotate in common, and produce identical actuation of the working parts of the apparatus at respectively opposite sides thereof through the respective rigging cables 4b. Any suitable transmission (not shown) may be provided between the engine 43 and drive gearing 44 to make available dierent drive ratios and reverse drive for the winch.

In operation, following the dumping of transit concrete mix components into the transfer container 20 at its lowermost receiving position of Fig. l and with the structural framework rmly bedded as shown in Fig. 5, the engine 43 is thrown into operating relationship wi/th the drive 44 by suitable clutch means (not shown) and utilizing an appropriate drive ratio, the winch being thereby motivated to raise the transfer container to discharge position with respect to a transit concrete mixer (not shown), usually of conventional type. It can be seen that the base frame 10 has a level bottom for the purpose of firmly bedding the machine on any suitable supporting surface, such as level ground, during operation.

Operation of the winch and the resultant winding of the cables 40 on the respective winch drums 32 act, through the rigging system, to raise the lifting frames 22 and 25 simultaneously, thereby elevating the transfer container 20 through successive lhorizontal planes, from its lowermost position of Fig. l through the intermediate d raised position of Fig. 5 to the point where lifting frame 22 abuts shaft 34 or some other suitable stop member 'provided on the uprights il. From that point on, the continuing forward movement of lifting frame 25 relative to the now stationary lifting frame 22 pushes the rearward portion of the transfer container forwardly and upwardly in an arc about pivot axis 24 as a center.

Immediately prior to or during the latter containertipping stage, discharge gate 39 is opened by the exercise of manual or automatic control of gate-operating mechanism 31, as may be provided for in any given installa.-

atta-aast o tion. Suitable control means of -k-nown :type lmay be employed for the purpose. It forms no part of .the .present invention. l

Discharge lof material from lthe .transfer container will .take place from -the time of opening of gate 30 until such -material is completely discharged.

For the purpose -of insuring complete and -rapid -d-ischarge, lprovision :is made -for moving the transfer conrainer -to an extreme tilted position, -indicated in Fig. 7.

In the illustrated construction, the slots 29 constitute such provision, but any l.other .arrangement for accommodatin'g limited forward ymovement of .the pivotally lconnected rear end of 'the rearward .lifting lframe ..25 may be employed. Thus, .as the .lifting .frame 25 is swung forwardly from .approximately `the position 'shown 2in Fig.

.6 .to fthat shown in Fig. 7, the slots 29 laccommodate the :necessary arcuate travel `of the rearward portion of the container-supporting frame 2-1 around the fixed pivot center 24, so .far -as rthe vpivotal securement of such -l-ifting frame 25 to such Vcontainer-supporting frame 21 -is concerned. The steepness of tipping of the transfer con- .tainer is `determined yby the .length 'of the slots 29.

Where 'found necessary or desirable :in .the .handling 'of certain materials, vibrator means 46 .'of .any suitable ttype may be operatively installed with respect to .the container, usually against the bottom thereof la-s indicated. Following complete discharge of the )con-tents -of 'the transfer container, or so much thereof bas .may bedesired in any given instance, the container is lowered to its linitial lload-receiving position, utilizing .either :the reverse drive lof the transmission or customary winch braking mechanism -(not shown), 4or both, to retard its gravity descent.

For weighing component materials separately deposited `in the transfer container for any pre-mixed charge of a:

same, so as to accurately control the mixing .operation .in the transit mixer and predetermine the quantity -of the nal product, a scale is incorporated in the apparatus.

As illustrated, see particularly Figs. 4, 8, and 9, .a scale platform 50 is floatingly supported upon the base frame 10 by a conventional system of weighing beams, levers, and knife edges usual for a platform scale of standard type. No attempt is made to illustrate such system in its entirety, but its installation is indicated by so much as is shown. Thus, speaking generally, it is carried by knife points 52, which are supported by extensions 10a of the base frame 10. A lever53 transmits an accurate measure of the entire load to a considerably longer lever 54, which is fulcrumed `at 55 and connected to a scale 56 (Figs. 1, 2, and 8) by means of a rod 57. As illustrated, the lever 53 extends through -a tubular :entryway 58 into engagement with the lever 54, which is housed Within and -extends along one `of the longitudinal side members of base frame 1,0 ("see Fig. .9).

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision made for effectively freeing the transfer conltainer from its lifting mechanism while at rest on the :scale platform l50, so that weighing will be accurate.

As shown in Fig. l0, the pivotal connections 24 .of -the vrear end of forward lifting frame 22 with .the Asupporting .frame 21 of the transfer container .20 are made .by .means of respective pivot pins 6l), which are dimensioned .to fit snugly within the downwardly directed narrow necks 61a of pear-shaped bushings 61.

During rest of the transfer container on the scale platform, the 'pivot pins 60 float freely in the enlarged vupper portions 61h 'of the bushings V61, as shown. While .such transfer container is being elevated by vthe .lifting lframes under the influence -of the rigging or hoisting system described above, the pivot pins slip yeasily and automatically into the narrow journaling necks 61a, and remain there .under the influence .o'f 4gravity during the entire operation. Also, widths of slots 29 freely float member 25a.

For firmly securing such weighing mechanism against 6 .damage during :transit .of the emachine from one location .to another, provision is :made for clamping the weighing mechanism in 'its full weight posi-tion and for firmly tying down `the transfer container to the base frame.

To these ends, -.a retaining screw 62 is threaded into -the .tubular casing 58 immediately above `the lever 53 .and near its free end, .as shown in Fig. 4,and1acturnbuckle 63 is interposed in the rod 57 leading to the scale. Also, short hold-down chains .64, .at opposite side of ithe .machine have one -end anchored .to `the -base frame 10 and the opposite end provided with a yhook for :engaging an eye 65 projecting outwardly from securement to the .transfer container. Such `.chains areeach preferablyprovided with a .manually operable .cincher of well known eccentric type, as indicated.

ln .preparing for transit, turnbuckle 63 is manipulated to .elongate .rod 57, retaining screw 62 -is cinched down .until 'lever .54 assumes the dotted -line-position of Fig. .9, and .hold-downchains 64 are hooked into place with respect to .their eyes 65, as 'shown 4in Fig. .1. The ap- .paratus .can now be hitched to and :hauled behind la tractive vehicle without damage, `it being understood that road wheels 14 are extended into running position for .this purpose.

It .has .been found Iin practice, that, While the two cable .rigging `system lof the foregoing -constructi'on is satisfactory in operation, -it is .often necessary to expend considerable .time equalizing the .lengths of the two cables. This difficulty is avoided by the single .cable rigging .system .of .the embodiment rshow-n .in Figs. 1l through 14.

There, the uprights 11 are surmounted .by yafstructural cross-piece f7.0, .having channel extensions 70a welded .to vits opposite ends. Gusset .plates 71 serve to rigidly .interconnect cross-.piece '70 with the respective uprights.

Double cable way .pulleys 33 are journaled within the respective channel formations 30a, preferably 'on ball bearings. The remainder of the rigging system corresponds exactly with the previous embodiment, except for the fact that .the single cable 72 .traverses the width of the upright structure .at 72a. There .is .no anchoring of the cable to the .structural framework, as with .the pair of cables of the previous embodiment. The two opposite ends of cable 72 are attached to the .respective winch drums 32, as shown. Thus, the two sections of the rigging system at respectively opposite sides .of .the machine are self-adjusting.

The cable 72 passes from one 'lateral side of the machine to lthe other by way of 'transverse cable guides,

here shown in the form of arcuate slideways 73 .secured vat respectively opposite sides of the machine by welding to `the opposing inside faces .o'f uprights 11.. Longitudinal cable gui'des 7'4 of 'similar slideway type are similarly disposed -lJ'elow the transverse cable `guides`73.

ln this embodiment, -provision is made 'for automati- Jcally cutting down the 'feed of gas to `the engine as the forward lli'fting frame y22 vreaches the end of its y`lifting stroke. As illustrated .in Figs. 111 and 14, -gas vfee'd iis -lcontroll'ed by meansof a lever '75 pivoted lto the rearward :face 'of one of the 'uprights 11 so 'as to project "into the 'space vbetween the two uprights and into the path 'of movement of lifting frame '22.

Such gas feed lever 4is manually advanced by the opera- `tor to the -poi-r1't'=shown by fu'll lines in Fig. i4, for br'ing'ing .fthe engine yup toworking speed. No 'further lattention is required, for, when lifting 'frame 22 Ais `raised to that point, as 'indicated by the broken line positions yin Fig. lit, 'further travel thereof will gradually `push :gas .feed lever closed, until idling position is `reached when lifting frame .22 :abats 'against rearwardly projecting stops '76, Figs. 11 'and l2.

This embodiment is also provided with means for [utilizing descent fof the .lifting frames to jac up the entire machine .for transport when desired.

-For purpose, .apair yof stands 80, Pigs. x15 -and .-16,l

are provided for respectively opposite sides of the machine, to serve as fulcrums for the opposite longitudinal side members, respectively, of lifting frame 25. For convenience, they may be pivotally secured, respectively, to the inside faces of opposite longitudinal side members of the base frame 1li, as by means of sliding pin Si and slot S2 connections, permitting out of the way placement on bracket supports 83 when not in use (see broken line positions).

Recessed fittings 4 are welded to the undersides of the respective longitudinal side members of lifting frame 25 for secure engagement with the tops of stands 80 vduring the jacking operation, as shown.

With this construction, no special equipment is necessary for retracting and extending the road wheels 14. Such wheels are journaled in and carried by lever plates 15, which are, in turn, pivotally secured at i6 to the base frame 10, all as in the previous embodiment. Here, however, threaded openings S5 and S6 are provided in each lever plate and longitudinal base frame side memi ber, respectively, for receiving a locking bolt 87, Fig. 16, when the wheels are extended and such openings are brought into registry.

The stands 80 are removed from operating position after the road wheels have been locked in extended, roadengaging position as above described. Following transportation of the machine to a new working location, it is firmly bedded for operation by spotting it over a suitable level surface, and placing the stands 80 in the supporting position of Fig. 16. After manually unlocking the road `wheels by removing the bolts 87, the machine is gradually lowered by operation thereof to raise the lifting frames.

`Whereas this invention is here illustrated and decrrbed with respect to presently preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that various changes may be made from time to time without departing from the teachings hereof or the scope of the claims which here follow.

I claim:

l. A batch loader, comprising a rigid structural framei work made up of a base frame adapted to accommodate a forwardly dumping type of transfer container, and upright structure rising from the forward portion of said base frame to a height approximating dump height; an

elongate, forward, lifting frame; an elongate, rearward, L

lifting frame, said frames each being aligned longitudinally with said base frame and pivotally connected at their forward ends to said structural framework at a low level adjacent said upright structure; an elongate, forwardly dumping type of transfer container assembly arranged to normally occupy the rearward portion of said base frame in longitudinal alignment therewith, the rear end of said forward lifting frame being pivotally connected to the forward end portion of said transfer con- .l

a cable guide secured to the rear end portion of said rearward lifting frame and a cable guide at a high point on said upright structure, the said cable being looped about the first cable guide and over the second; and means for operating said winch.

2. A batch loader as set forth in claim l, wherein a scale platform is carried by the rearward portion of the base frame for directly receiving and supporting the transfer' container in its lowermost position; wherein weighing mechanism is carried by the structural framework; and wherein means are provided operably interconnecting said scale platform with said weighing mechanism.

3. A batch loader as set forth in claim 2, wherein the base frame is in the form of a vehicle chassis; wherein running gear is secured to said base frame, adapting the batch loader for travel; wherein means are provided for immobilizing the weighing mechanism; and wherein means are provided on said base frame for anchoring the transfer container relative to the scale platform for purposes of travel.

4. A batch loader as set forth in claim l, wherein the base frame is in the form of a vehicle chassis having a level bottom adapted to bed firmly upon a supporting surface; and wherein road wheels are retractably mounted in said base frame, adapting the batch loader for travel.

5. A batch loader as set forth in claim 4, wherein stands are provided as fulcrums for one of the lifting frames in exerting leverage to raise the machine; and wherein means are provided for locking the road wheels in extended, road-engaging position.

6. A batch loader as set forth in claim l, wherein the transfer container is of rectangular configuration, having broad bottom and broad open top extending horizontally in the lowermost, load-receiving position; and wherein dump means are provided at the forward end of said container.

7. A batch loader as set forth in claim 6, wherein the forward end of the transfer container is of convergent, hopper formation.

8. A batch loader as set forth in claim l, wherein the rigging system embodies independent cables at opposite lateral sides of the lifting frames; wherein the cable guide means include longitudinal cable guides secured to respectively opposite lateral sides of the rearward lifting frame; and wherein the winch drum has portions operatively aligned with the respective cables.

9. A batch loader as set forth in claim l, wherein the rigging system embodies a single cable comprehending opposite lateral sides of the lifting frames; and wherein the cable guide means include longitudinal cable guides secured to respectively opposite lateral sides of the rearward lifting frame, and sets of longitudinal and transverse cable guides secured to the upper part of the upright structure, the said single cable passing from one lateral side of the loader to the other by way of said transverse cable guides.

li). A batch loader as sct forth in claim l, wherein a scale platform is carried by the rearward portion of the base frame for directly receiving and supporting the transfer container in its lowermost position; wherein weighv ing mechanism is carried by the structural framework; wherein means are provided operably interconnecting said scale platform with said .veighing mechanism; and wherein a free-floating, pivotal connection pivotally connects one of the lifting frames to the transfer' container assembly.

ll. A batch loader as set forth in claim l0, wherein the free-oating, pivotal connection pivotally connects the forward lifting frame to the transfer container assembly, and comprises a generally pear-shaped bushing having its larger end uppermost in the normal rest position of the transfer container' assembly, and a pivot pin snugly fitting and rotatable within the smaller, neck end of said bushing.

l2. A batch loader as set fortn in claim l, wherein the means for operating the winch includes a fuel-consuming engine equipped with a fuel supply line and fuel supply control means interposed therein; and wherein an operating handle for said control means is positioned within the path of lift of the forward lifting frame adjacent the termination of its iifting stroke, for forward closing movement within and along said path.

No references cited. 

